Category: CANA News

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is urging the government to address speculation that the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) may be in talks to acquire Speednet – SMART, warning that the acquisition represents ‘a matter of profound national significance’.

Speednet, is a Belizean communications company, established in 2003 and providing mostly deals with celluar services under the brand name ‘SMART’ and other landline services.

‘This transaction would fundamentally reshape Belize’s telecommunication’s landscape, with lasting implications for consumer welfare, business competitiveness, the stewardship of public funds and the overall health of our digital economy,’ the BCC said in a statement. BCCI vice president, Giacomo Sanchez, told reporters that based on information circulating publicly, the figures being mentioned for a potential acquisition are in excess of BDZ150 million (One BDZ$=US$0.49 cents). There has been no official statement from the government or BTL on the matter.

The private sector group said that after ‘careful review’ of the available information and historical context, it wanted to ‘articulate a position of serious and substantive concern’.

It said while it acknowledges the theoretical arguments for consolidation in a small market, including potential efficiencies and enhanced investment capacity, ‘the current legal framework and lack of critical safeguards render support for this transaction premature and potentially harmful to the matinal interest’.

The BCCI said that among its ‘primary concerns’ is the asymmetry between BTL, a publicly listed entity and the privately held Speednet-Smart ‘coupled with a lack of disclosed beneficial ownership prevents the public and its representatives from assessing the fairness, valuation and true motivations behind this transaction.

‘Furthermore, since BTL is a national asset, an acquisition of this magnitude should only proceed after proper consultation with shareholders and stakeholders, including civil society’.

The BCCI said that it is also worried that publicly reported ownership links between Speednet ‘and politically exposed persons create an unacceptable appearance of conflict, undermining trust in the process and raising legitimate questions about whether this transaction serves the public good or private interests’

The private sector group said that given the historical precedent, ‘there is a credible risk that public resources, particularly from the Social Security Board, could be exposed to support this acquisition without sufficient independent valuation, transparency or parliamentary oversight’.

The BCCI said that as a significant shareholder in BTL ‘the risk associated with the acquisition will have a direct impact on the social security fund, which may affect its ability to provide benefits to contributors’.

The BCCI said that in the absence of robust safeguards ‘market consolidation poses a direct threat of monopolistic practices, leading to higher prices, reduced service qualities, less innovation and diminishing bargaining power for all consumers and enterprises.

‘Therefore the BCCI cannot, in good conscience support any move toward consolidation and this time,’ it said, adding ‘crucially, and this is our firm and non-negotiables position, the Chamber insists that any further consideration of this acquisition must be contingent upon the prior enactment and commencement of comprehensive competition and merger controlled legislation’.

It said Belize must first establish the modern legal and regulatory framework akin to those in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and ‘other regional counterparts’.

Meanwhile, the President of the Public Service Union (PSU) Dean Flowers, says he stands in full support of the BCCI’s position, arguing that Belize continues to grapple with utility monopolies operating at a loss.

”Unfortunately we have not seen that translate into lower costs for citizens. Right now we are grappling with that with WASA and BEL, monopolies operating at a loss, monopolies that currently holds a significant portion of our pension benefits coming out of social security, monopolies in the case of BEL, asking for more money, while being unable to turnover a profit to make the long term pension fund more sustainable.

‘And I want to applaud the BCCI for their response today. I think they were on point and this is one time I stand in full solidarity with everything they stated in their release,’ he added.

The Trinidad and Tobago government says it remains optimistic that several cross border energy arrangements it has with Venezuela remain on the front burner, even though the deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro had indicated that they had been cancelled.

Maduro, was replaced as head of state in the South American country last weekend after the United States invaded the country, despite earlier giving assurances that its military build-up in waters near Caracas, was not intended to lead to a regime change.

Maduro and his wife have since appeared in a Federal Court in New York and President Donald Trump has said that Washington will be ‘running’ the country. Speaking at the news conference following Thursday’s Cabinet meeting Energy Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal, told reporters that the government remains optimistic that several energy arrangements, including the Dragon gas project, are on the table and that Maduro’s announced suspension of the agreements had never been officially communicated to the government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had openly supported the United States position on drug trafficking in the region.

Moonilal told reporters that the government relies only on formal communication and existing agreements.

‘We do not operate on what we hear, read, or what social media is saying. Agreements have been in place in this country with Venezuela for some years now, and to our knowledge, we have not received anything that suggests that any arrangement has changed officially.

‘We have never received any cancellations, any official communication vis-à-vis those matters that suggest a change in anything,’ he said, adding that the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licence granted last October for the Dragon gas field remains valid.

‘That remains in place, and to my knowledge, that licence is in effect, and work has continued pursuant to the conditions of that licence; there has been no change in that,’ Moonilal said, telling reporters that work has continued on the Dragon gas field and other cross-border projects, expressing confidence in the country’s position.

‘We are very confident that Trinidad and Tobago’s interest will be served in terms of the cross-border projects,’ he said, adding that there has been no change in policy direction arising from developments between the United States and Venezuela.

‘We have had no change of course, and that primarily involves the Dragon Field project, but it also involves Cocuina-Manakin and Loran-Manatee. We expect that in the coming months that we will advance along with the stakeholders on those matters,’ he said.

Moonilal also sought to clarify that Trinidad and Tobago does not currently have a commercial energy relationship with Venezuela, saying ‘with all the developments, we have not lost a dollar nor have we gained a dollar.

‘We simply do not have commercial relationships on that issue. What we have had is some agreements to advance, particularly on gas fields, and that continues,’ Moonilal said adding that energy stakeholders remain in contact with the relevant authorities in Venezuela.

Last October, Attorney General, John Jeremie said that the United States Treasury Department had granted a six-month window under a newly OFAC licence, allowing the Kamla Persad government and the National Gas Company (NGC) to formally engage in negotiations with Venezuela on the development of the Dragon Gas project.

Jeremie told reporters that the new OFAC licence was ‘issued under certain executive orders and it authorises US persons, including employees, affiliates, contractors and service providers employed by or acting on behalf of or for the direct or indirect benefit of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the NGC, Shell, PLC, Futura Clara Limited, and their subsidiaries and their affiliates and contractors to engage in transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to negotiations with the government of Venezuela and Petroleos, the Venezuela executives in connection with the Dragon gas project.’

Last April, the United States government revoked the OFAC licence granted to Trinidad and Tobago to allow Shell, the NGC, and contractors to explore, produce, and export natural gas from the Venezuelan Dragon Gas Field.

The licence was valid until October 31, 2025, and enabled Trinidad and Tobago to pay for gas in various currencies and through humanitarian measures. On December 21, 2023, Trinidad and Tobago also secured a 30-year exploration and production license from the government of Venezuela for the Dragon gas field.

Washington had also revoked the Cocuina-Manakin license granted to Port of Spain on May 31, 2024.

Port of Spain had been planning to request an extension from Washington for a licence granted to Shell and the NGC to develop the Dragon gas project in Venezuela.

The license, issued in early 2023, allows the companies to plan the project. The project aims to supply gas to Trinidad by 2027. The Dragon Field is located in Venezuelan waters near the maritime border with Trinidad.

Persad Bissessar, when in opposition had been critical of the then People’s National Movement (PNM) decision to pursue the Dragon gas deal and soon after coming to office in April, declared the project was ‘dead’.

Moonilal told the news conference that the government is continuing its agenda of holding talks with regional oil and and gas producers, notably Guyana and Grenada.

He said discussions have been held with the Guyana Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, as well as having a ‘good engagement with the government of Grenada, and we are advancing a collaboration in the energy sector as part of our vision of becoming the energy hub of the Caribbean’.

But he said also that the government is also looking beyond the Caribbean.

‘We are now looking at partnerships outside the region, particularly South America, Europe and Asia and so on, to see how we can deepen our collaboration in the energy sector. Those discussions have been taking place, and much more will be done this year.’

The Belize government Friday said it held a meeting with key stakeholders in the sugarcane industry to review preparations for the 2026 crop season.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, Dr. Osmond Martinez, said that the 2026 crop is scheduled to begin on January 19, and that the meeting formed part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination, transparency, and joint decision-making across the sugarcane value chain. ‘This regular forum is expected to strengthen planning, improve responsiveness to weather and logistical challenges, and ensure that interventions deliver clear benefits to cane farmers and the wider industry.

‘Through these recurring engagements, the Ministry of Economic Transformation and its partners reaffirmed their collective commitment to modernizing Belize’s sugar industry and safeguarding the livelihoods of thousands of sugarcane farmers and workers across northern Belize,’ according to a statement issued following the meeting

During the meeting, the Ministry of Economic Transformation reaffirmed its commitment to the northern sugarcane industry by establishing bi-monthly stakeholder meetings to be held at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB).

It said that these meetings will include representatives from the SICB, the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), Belize Sugar Industries/American Sugar Refining (BSI/ASR), the Sugar Cane Production Committee (SCPC), and the four cane farmers’ associations-Northern Sugar Cane Growers Association, Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association, Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, and Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association.

Martinez told the meeting of the government’s resolve to ensure that all actors in the sugar industry work toward a common vision of a resilient, competitive, and farmer-focused sector, emphasising that the newly established bi-monthly meetings would serve as a permanent platform for reviewing progress, addressing emerging issues, and maintaining open dialogue among farmers’ associations, the mill, and regulatory bodies.

According to the statement stakeholders reviewed mill readiness for the 2026 crop, during which BSI/ASR confirmed plans to begin steam trials on Friday. The meeting also addressed key support measures, including the fuel subsidy and the waiver of licenses for sugarcane transport units.

To improve coordination and oversight, participants agreed to establish a technical committee that will include representatives from major institutions to work alongside the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) on road maintenance.

Martinez said that as part of this initiative, he would lead a field visit on January 12, to assess priority road sections and advise on immediate follow-up actions.

Last month, Prime Minister John Briceño welcomed the one-year interim agreement reached between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Ltd that allowed for the start of the new crop sugar season that the authorities hope will yield an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of sugarcane for milling.

Chairman of the BSCFA Committee of Management, Alfredo Ortega, said the interim agreement allows for the government to amend existing laws to prevent the kinds of stalemate that threaten to frustrate the sugar industry.

The two main stakeholders in the sugar industry had been at loggerheads and after almost a year of back and forth, in late October, both parties finally agreed to the services of a mediator following the expiration of the current agreement in January this year.

In a bid to calm rising public discontent, Cricket West Indies Vice President Azim Bassarath has issued a clear call for patience, stating the board believes ‘more time should be given to the Darren Sammy project.’ Speaking frankly on the i95.5FM Isports program with host Andre Errol Baptiste, Bassarath acknowledged the troubled climate surrounding the men’s team’s direction but urged the region to support the current leadership.

His comments come amid growing debate over the team’s inconsistent performances under the all-format head coach.

‘The directors believe that more time should be given, so the region needs to understand that,’ Bassarath stated.

He confirmed that Sammy’s tenure will be formally assessed, likely around the time of CWI’s Annual General Meeting.

‘Maybe a discussion paper can be circulated, and the directors can have a look at it,’ he noted, framing it as a deliberate process. ‘It is something that we must give time to see if it can work.’

Addressing the key question of a fair timeline, the Vice President suggested the upcoming T20 World Cup next month will be a critical benchmark, alongside recent series results.

‘Whether one year is a sufficient time is still to be debated. We look at his results where there are a few series and maybe the World Cup, and we can really have a look at his tenure at that time.’

Striking a conciliatory tone, Bassarath directly appealed to fans and critics alike to temper immediate judgment. ‘We shouldn’t rush into things. We shouldn’t be criticising too much,’ he implored. ‘Let us lend our support to the guy and encourage the players and the coaches and so on, and see if we can turn the so-called corner again.’

He concluded by recognising the emotional weight of the issue, admitting, ‘I know that it is a troubling topic.’

The statement represents the board’s most direct effort yet to manage expectations, signalling that while a review is inevitable, a decision on Sammy’s future will not be rushed.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, says it has successfully concluded a series of civil society organization (CSO) engagement workshops on citizen security, across four Eastern Caribbean countries.

The RCO said that the workshops reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development, peacebuilding, and human rights. It said the sessions were coordinated in collaboration with national citizen security focal points, the UN Regional Peace and Development Officer and the Caribbean Policy and Development Centre (CPDC), brought together almost 100 CSO representatives across Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. ‘Citizen security is not simply a policy priority. It is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development. Addressing it requires a whole-of-society approach, and civil society organizations are at the heart of this effort,’ says UN Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett, reiterating civil society as an indispensable partner in addressing citizen security challenges through prevention, empowerment, and community-led solutions.

According to the RCO the participants were of the view that citizen security extends beyond law enforcement and must be addressed as a development challenge, one that directly affects social cohesion, trust in institutions, and progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this regard, civil society representatives highlighted their unique role as trusted community actors, often serving as the first to identify emerging risks, support vulnerable groups, and advocate for inclusive and rights-based responses, it said.

In Antigua and Barbuda, CSOs strengthened their capacity in civic responsibility, human rights, violence prevention, and community engagement, while exploring how grassroots initiatives can align with national and regional security frameworks.

The St. Kitts and Nevis engagement brought together nearly 60 CSOs and community leaders, reinforcing a public health approach to crime and violence prevention focused on early intervention, data-driven decision-making, and community partnerships.

In Grenada, a one-day hybrid dialogue placed civil society at the center of discussions on youth violence, community resilience, human rights, and cultural interventions. Government and UN representatives recognised that CSOs bring trust, cultural understanding, lived experience, and innovation, and emphasized the importance of meaningful youth participation.

The engagement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines zeroed in on the rising impacts of crime, gender-based violence, and data gaps, while highlighting the importance of prevention, psychosocial support, restorative justice, and community trust-building.

During the session, the UN announced a Five-Year CSO Engagement Strategy (2026-2030) aimed at deepening collaboration and improving coordination across the Eastern Caribbean.

The RCO said that despite differing national contexts, CSOs across the four countries identified common priorities, including the need for strengthening data collection and evidence-based advocacy; expanding youth mentorship, skills training, and diversion programmes among other areas.

It said that building on the momentum of these engagements, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office will seek to further advance implementation of its CSO Engagement Strategy (2026-2030) across the Eastern Caribbean.

‘Continued efforts will also support improved coordination, information-sharing, and capacity-building among CSOs; strengthen policy dialogue and data-sharing to ensure community realities inform national strategies and continue promoting inclusive, prevention-focused approaches to citizen security aligned with the SDGs and international human rights commitments.’

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.1 rattled parts of the capital on Thursday night, as the Earthquake Unit (EQU) at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) reported that more than 400 earthquakes had been recorded in and around Jamaica last year.

The EQU said that the last quake at 10.31 pm (local time), occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (km) rattling parts of Kingston and St Andrew. There were no reports of injuries or damage. EQU Scientific Officer, Karleen Black, speaking ahead of the January11-17 Earthquake Awareness Week, said that of the earthquakes recorded last year, 122 were classified as near events, including seismic activity affecting neighbouring territories such as the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Haiti, while 280 were recorded locally and were distributed across the island.

‘There were seven felt earthquakes and of these, two were in Portland, two in St. Thomas, another two in St. Elizabeth and one in St. Andrew,’ Black said, noting that from the parish distribution, ‘you can tell that all parishes across the island can experience earthquakes’.

She highlighted the resilience of the country’s seismic monitoring network, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28 last year, killing 45 people and causing damage estimated at more than nine billion US dollars.

‘Coming out of Melissa, we would have had some damage to our stations. however, due to our resiliency in having multiple networks, we were able to keep the monitoring going, even during Melissa,’ she said, reminding Jamaicans that the island is exposed to multiple hazards and that overlapping events are likely.

‘As you know, Jamaica is a multi-hazard country and it is quite possible that during a hurricane or some other disaster, you could have an earthquake as well,’ she cautioned.

Although Jamaica did not experience an earthquake during Hurricane Melissa, Black pointed to a magnitude 3.1 earthquake in St. Elizabeth on December 1 as a reminder that seismic activity can still occur in already impacted areas.

‘As we go forward into 2026, it’s the role of the Earthquake Unit to support all its partners, such as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), as well as you, the general public, to help you with general information about areas that are most affected by earthquakes, data requests, as well as safety ,’ Black said.

Earthquake Awareness Week will be observed under the theme ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.

The tributes continued to flow freely and powerfully, just as one of his famed yorkers, as legendary West Indies fast bowler Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner continues to bask, after being conferred with the Order of the Freedom of Barbados, the nation’s highest award, during the 2025 Independence and Republic celebrations late last year. The honour, awarded for ‘distinguished and extraordinary service in sports,’ recognises a career where Garner’s towering 6’8′ frame cast a long shadow over batters worldwide, and his gentle giant persona cemented him as a pillar of the all-conquering West Indies teams of the 1970s and 80s.

Former captain and fellow knight, Sir Clive Lloyd, led the chorus of praise for his cricketing brethren.

‘He was a great team person,’ Lloyd stated. ‘He added something different; he got the ball to rise disconcertingly from just short of a good length, and he bowled one of the best yorkers I know. The minute the tail end was in, he would remove them. He was a great fellow to have in our team.’

The sentiment of camaraderie and profound respect was echoed by fast bowling great and former teammate, Ambassador Courtney Walsh, who addressed his ‘soulmate’ directly.

‘Big Bird, my good friend, man. From teammate to roommate. Someone I’ve always admired and looked up to as a young man. Thanks to all that you have passed on to me. Truly well-deserved award. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.’

Fellow ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse’ member Andy Roberts provided acute technical insight into what made Garner, who joined the quartet after Roberts, Michael Holding, and the injured Colin Croft had begun their reign of terror, so uniquely formidable.

‘He made the most integral and important part of that unit,’ Roberts said. ‘He used his great height far better than any other fast bowler the world has produced from that height.’

Roberts highlighted Garner’s most feared weapon. ‘He had a great yorker. He didn’t need to bowl bouncers because once he released that ball from that height, it was basically a more important weapon than what I could do. His height alone did everything.’

A High Court judge Friday dismissed a no case submission filed by the attorneys of a ;police officer, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson in 2022.

Constable Noel Maitland is also accused of preventing the lawful burial of a corpse arising from her disappearance in July 2022. Justice Leighton Pusey after hearing oral submissions from the prosecution and the defence on Thursday, ruled that the police officer has a case to answer in the disappearance of the 24-year-old social media influencer, who last seen at the Chelsea Manor apartment complex in St Andrew, where Maitland lived.

She was reported missing on July 12, 2022

As a result of the judge’s ruling, the case will now proceed before a seven-member jury with the Justice Pusey expressing the hope that Maitland’s defence team will be ready to proceed on Monday when the matter resumes.

During the trial, which began in May last year, the prosecution led evidence from 36 witnesses, including Donaldson’s mother, who testified that her daughter was last seen alive on July 11, 2022, when Maitland reportedly picked her up from her home in St Andrew. The mother also testified that she spoke with her daughter on the morning of July 12.

Donaldson’s brother gave evidence that he had spoken with her via video call on the evening of July 12, and she appeared to be in a location with a yellow background and brown curtains.

Prosecutors are basing their case mainly on circumstantial evidence, including blood belonging to Donaldson that was found in Maitland’s apartment.

In a statement given to the police on July 15, 2022, Maitland said Donaldson walked out of his apartment on the morning of July 12 after an argument over a photograph of the mother of his child, which he had hanging on the wall.

Maitland claimed that Donaldson wanted him to take down the picture, but he refused, indicating that he was not going to shun his child’s mother.

The 16th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) gets underway here on Saturday overshadowed by the decision of the United States to withdraw from the United Nations green energy agency and 65l other international organisations, many of them, UN affiliated bodies.

Several Caribbean delegates, including energy ministers, are expected to attend the assembly, the first session of which is dubbed, ‘Pathways for a Renewable Future across Latin America and Caribbean subregions: Regional Energy Transition Outlook for South America’.

Reacting to the US announcement, IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera, said he regretted the announced intention of the United States saying ‘as an IRENA member and key global stakeholder, the United States has long played an important role in advancing renewable energy through international cooperation’. La Camera said renewables are not only a climate solution.

‘Renewable energy is smart economics and will be the decisive factor in the competitiveness of economies. Renewables are a powerful driver of business opportunities, job creation, technological leadership and industrial innovation.’

La Camera said that from lowering power costs to offering strategic investment, the energy transition presents a historic opportunity for countries to achieve substantial economic returns.

‘First and foremost, renewables are essential in today’s uncertain environment to ensure energy security and strengthen geopolitical positions.’

The IRENA head said international collaboration is more critical than ever, and IRENA remains committed to supporting countries and businesses in their efforts to accelerate the global energy transition and deliver the socioeconomic, environmental, and security benefits of renewable energy to power their development.

‘We recognise the valuable contributions the United States has made to the work of IRENA and its 171 members over the years and hope to see renewed engagement in the future. The door for continued cooperation remains open,’ La Camera said.

On Wednesday, Trump announced that the United States was withdrawing from ‘international organisations, conventions, and treaties that are contrary to the interests of the United States’ resulting in Washington withdrawing also funding to 60 such bodies.

The US president had directed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in consultation with the United States representative to the United Nations, to conduct a review of all international intergovernmental organizations of which the United States is a member and provides any type of funding or other support, and all conventions and treaties to which the United States is a party, to determine which organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States.

Trump said Rubio had reported his findings.

‘I have considered the Secretary of State’s report and, after deliberating with my Cabinet, have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the organizations .’

‘For United Nations entities, withdrawal means ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.’

In a statement on Wednesday, Rubio described as ‘wasteful, ineffective, or harmful’ the entities from which the United States has withdrawn.

‘The Trump Administration has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity,’ Rubio said.

Among the entities that the US would withdraw from are several dealing with green energy and the environment, including the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact; the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development; the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; the International Energy Forum; the International Union for Conservation of Nature Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century; UN Energy; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; UN Oceans and UN Water.

The Jamaica government has welcomed the efforts being undertaken by the Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission (ADSC) in its public education, industry training, and enhanced support for local businesses.

Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Delano Seiveright, underscored the growing importance of trade remedies in protecting local producers from unfairly priced imports and sudden import surges, while maintaining Jamaica’s compliance with international trade obligations during a high-level meeting with the Commission on Thursday. Describing the entity as a ‘critical safeguard’ for Jamaican enterprises operating in the domestic market, he said that ‘the Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission plays a vital role in safeguarding Jamaica’s productive base and ensuring a level playing field for businesses operating here.

‘I am particularly encouraged by the Commission’s expanded focus on training, public education, and a more practical, hands-on approach to supporting industry through what can often be a complex process,’ he added.

As an agency of the MIIC, the ADSC has intensified pre-filing consultations, industry-focused training sessions, and direct engagement with business associations, allowing companies to better understand the application process and prepare complaints effectively.

A key initiative highlighted during the meeting was the agency’s Industry Help Desk pilot project, designed to assist producers, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, in preparing applications for trade remedies support through a structured, cost-sharing arrangement.

Seiveright said that this approach lowers barriers, reduces reliance on costly external consultants, builds in-house capacity within industries, and reflects a modern, solutions-oriented mindset.

He acknowledged challenges faced by the Commission, including difficulties in accessing timely industry and import data, and hesitancy among some firms to share sensitive financial information required for assessing market impact, giving a commitment to working closely with the ADSC and its stakeholders to help move this initiative beyond the pilot stage.

‘These challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. We have agreed on clear next steps, including closer coordination with Jamaica Customs and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, strengthening institutional capacity, and continuing engagement with industry stakeholders to build trust and understanding.’

Seiveright also welcomed ongoing organisational strengthening of the Commission, including staffing improvements and administrative upgrades, noting that a strong, credible, and well-resourced trade remedies authority is essential as Jamaica deepens its integration into global supply chains.

‘At a time when Jamaica is focused on recovery, growth, and resilience, protecting fair competition is not optional, it is essential,’ he said, adding that ‘the Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission is a key part of our trade infrastructure, and I look forward to our continued close collaboration as we strengthen Jamaica’s business environment’.